Universal, which has made films including Minions and Wicked, has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as in Japan, Singapore and China. The site - which is the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks - will be "one of the largest and most advanced" theme parks on the continent once complete, the production company says. A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government, with construction expected to start in 2026. Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs would be from Bedford, central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. "This is not just about bringing great American creations to Britain, this is also about showcasing great British creations to the world," she told BBC Breakfast.
